Tag:

fantasy draft

Is Brandon Marshall being overlooked in Fantasy?

by Jermaine Lockett July 2, 2016

written by Jermaine Lockett

Brandon Marshall-TJ Hawk-Flickr

Is Brandon Marshall being overlooked in FFL?

Have you ever worked your butt off at something, and been overlooked or never appreciated? How did that make you feel? Did you get that chip on your shoulder, and work harder to get the recognition you deserved or did the lack of praise push you to a point of demotivation? Think of the aforementioned and then think of the name Brandon Marshall and Fantasy Football (FFL). NO, I am not referring to the Super Bowl winning LB, but the New York Jets’ WR, Brandon Marshall.

Only three WRs in football put up 14 TDs last season,

Brandon Marshall – 109-Catches-1,502-Yards-14-TDs
Doug Baldwin – 78-Catches-1069-Yards-14-TDs
Allen Robinson – 80-Catches-1400-Yards-14-TDs

and yet none of them have been considered to go #1 overall in FFL Drafts. Did you notice that none of the projected top-5 WRs are above? Below is the top-5 according to CBS Sports

Antonio Brown – Projected #1 Overall pick by darn near everyone (not me)
Odell Beckham Jr. – Most celebrated receiver due to the sure hands
Julio Jones – There is no other weapon in Atlanta
DeAndre Hopkins – Put the Houston Texans on his back last year with 111-1521-11-TDs in 2014
Dez Bryant – Averages 12-TDs a year (solid option)

I am not saying these guys are soft. I am simply saying Marshall deserves consideration for the FFL top-5.

Dude is a beast!

Marshall was a PPR league monster last season. He averaged. 14.6 fantasy points per game. This Jet uses his physicality to gain position on defenders and actually meets the ball at its apex in order to secure catches. That is not even the best part. What Marshall does after the catch is what makes your eyes pop. Y’all need to put some respect on his name (I refuse to spell it any other way, plus there is a certain cash money millionaire who will sew me apparently if I do).

I get that Marshall is now 32. In football years, that is like 40 for WRs. As Aaliyah sang, “age ain’t nothing but a number”, this big body target hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, Marshall may have performed even better if he hadn’t sustained toe and foot injuries in week 8 of 2015 against the Oakland Raiders. When he is not having off the field issues, you should view this guy as one of the best.

Knock Knock…

Of course, there are the knocks on #15 such as Pro Football Weekly saying:

“…the question now is, at 32 never having possessed great speed and never making it to the playoffs, how much is left in the tank?”

You should laugh because the same magazine praised Laquan Treadwell as if he is the next big thing. He has the same build and speed as Marshall. B-Marsh even has a better 40-time (4.52). Moreover, this is fantasy football, the only playoffs you care about is yours.

Nevertheless, the only issues with selecting Marshall are the fact that Matt Forte is now a Jet and could snatch up some of his targets. The other issue is that of who will be throwing to him? Geno Smith-to-Marshall should make you want to throw up in your mouth (I know I just did). Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to be there for him to be most effective.

The choice is yours…

Now having given you all of that information, how do you proceed?

Do you want to win your FFL league, or do you want to go down as the guy who chose the flashiest player in the draft because everyone else is doing it? The choice is ultimately up to you, but don’t leave it in the hands of the popular vote. Do your research and come up with your own winner. Mine is Marshall.

Like what you read? Please share it!

Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.

July 2, 2016 0 comment

Fantasy Football Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars NFL

Two Sleeper Fantasy Football RBs

by David Harris August 12, 2014

written by David Harris

With NFL Preseason starting up, rumors, story lines, and the ever lasting need for a Fantasy Football Championship is running through the news and minds of all. Today I am writing an article for all of you fantasy football players who want to get a couple of those “late round steals” that make you look like a genius and make everyone else look like fools. These late round steals can either be key to a block buster trade that will take your team from a pretender to contender or contender to champion. Below are two players I really believe will also go from unnoticed to starters.

Trent Richardson– Indianapolis Colts RB:

I can hear you groaning now. Oh how disappointed we all were last year with Richardson’s production after he was traded to the white and blue horseshoes of Indy. At first, when Colts GM Ryan Grigson traded Indy’s first rounder to Cleveland for Richardson, we all thought this was something out of a video game. Two top players from the same draft in Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson teaming up in Indy, WOW! However, Richardson proved to be a big disappointment. Excuses were made, from the difficulty of learning a new playbook a quarter of the way through the year, the injuries the Colts sustained, or the terrible play that came from the Colts offensive line (which sustained major injuries), Richardson was flat out terrible. A fantasy bust, and the furthest thing from an “amazing” trade for the Colts. In fact, many people were willing to put the nails in the coffin last year and declare this trade one of the worst in history. I am not so quick to turn my back on this trade though, quite the contrary. I am actually happy that such a terrible year by Richardson took place. I feel a golden apple is sagging quite low to the ground but out of sight for most people to see. Richardson could be the difference between a championship gloating year or a top pick next year when your team struggles to win.

Here are my projections: Trent Richardson- 1,387 Rushing-yards, 12-Touchdowns, 2-Fumbles, 46-Catches, 502-Yards, 4-Touchdowns ! ! Knowing what he did last year this may seem a bit drastic, but reports coming from Colts’ camp is that “T. Rich” has come in to camp stronger, faster and more confident then ever before. Even with such terrible production out of Richardson, and the re-signing of Ahmad Bradshaw and Jake Ballard coming back from injury, the Colts have declared that Richardson will be their 3 down back. This is a good sign for fantasy owners reading this or those who have already seen the light. The Colts brass see something exciting in Richardson, and with an improved Offensive-line and run-blocking scheme with Donald Thomas back from injury, Jack Mewhort being drafted out of Ohio St, who can play any position on the Offensive-line and Dwayne Allen, who is one of the best run blocking Tight Ends in the game, coming back from injury. Combine that with the additions to the pass-attack and this should open up Richardson to an abundance of positive plays.  Look how deep this Colts receiving core is with Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks, Dwayne Allen and Colby Fleener. This will open up the run game as teams will now have to work on stopping the ever improving Andrew Luck, who is becoming one of the best QB’s in the league and a valuable fantasy quarterback.  My recommendation is to draft this Richardson and either keep this him as your number 2 RB or your flex position RB. This former Alabama player will be a RB1 talent at the end of the year. You can always trade him in a block buster deal that will bring an abundance of talent to your team.

The downside to Trent Richardson and that is his health, mentally. Physically this guy didn’t seem to have any issues last year, even though he has been injury prone most of his high school, college, and NFL career. Last year his mental health seemed to be the problem. His confidence was shot and his ability to dominate the way he was expected was even worse. I truly believe that this year will be different and so do the Colts brass. This guy will be available late in your draft, and I advise you draft him so your opponents will look at you like the Vince Lombardi of your Fantasy League. Good hunting people, and now for the next sleeper pick.

Toby Gerhart– Jacksonville Jaguars RB–

The Jags improved from their abysmal performance last year, which isn’t saying much, as this was one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Jags averaged 23.6 rushes per game which ranked 28th in the NFL last year, only beating out the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons. Gerhart has a career average of 4.7 yards per rush; yet last year, he averaged 7.9 yards per rush on only 36 attempts. He was behind arguably the best running back in the NFL (Adrian Peterson). He performed like an MVP last year, which made it tough for Toby to get opportunities to run the ball. When he did, however, he took advantage with 36-rushes for 283-yards 2-touchdowns and a 7.9 average. Jacksonville will have to run the ball this year to relieve some pressure off of young rookie Blake Bortles. With Bortles, Jacksonville should have a legitimate passing game this year and Defenses will have to worry about stopping him, not Maurice Jones-Drew like they did last year. With MJD bolting to the Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville felt that Gerhart could take over the RB throne in Jacksonville and really play well for them. Gerhart was the runner up in the 2009 Heisman voting and has never really lived up to his hype as his entire career was spent backing up Peterson. This is the year, I see Gerhart showing the NFL that he is a viable Running Back option for a subpar team, which improved this year.

My projections for Gerhart are: 1,257-yards rushing, 10-Touchdowns, 1-Fumble, 38-Catches, 278-yards 5-Touchdowns. I believe with a young inexperienced Quarterback in Bortles, Jacksonville will need to run the ball, to relieve some pressure as well as pass to Gerhart out of the backfield, when the pocket breaks down. One of the biggest problems for rookie and young signal-callers in general is their timing. They tend to hold onto the ball too long especially when the pocket breaks down. Gerhart has surprisingly good hands out of the backfield and should be a true asset for Bortles, as the pocket breaks down. If Gerhart hits or exceeds my projections, he will be a Top-Six Rusher (if stats look anything like last year) and tied for fourth in TDs. I think Bortles has the ability to move the chains in Jacksonville, but may not have enough targets to put up a lot of points or score in the Red zone. Gerhart would help with his ability to fight for extra yards and his surprising speed may not burn you for a long TD, but could get past linebackers in the Red zone and push around DB’s to force his way into the End zone. Here is another player you could draft late, that would prove to be a great pick as youhoist up your Fantasy trophy and talk a lot of smack to all of the people you ran over for it.

David Harris is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.

August 12, 2014 0 comment

Fantasy Football NFL

2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: QB

by Joe Cummings July 28, 2014

written by Joe Cummings

msullivan-flickr

2014 Fantasy Football Primer: QB position

With the arrival of training camps, it really starts to feel like the NFL season is right around the corner. And with that, comes Fantasy Football (FF), which has now exploded into a multi-million dollar industry, to the point that it’s a major focus on ESPN and every other major sports network and website.

So how can Couch Rider Report give you an edge? Well I’m no Matthew Berry, but since 2001, I have won five FF leagues on Yahoo! and placed in the top-three 11 times. So I have a pretty good handle on the whole FF thing, and the strategies that will lead you to FF glory.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be giving a breakdown of each position and close with a article on drafting and season strategies that have benefited me in the past. And I’m starting with the glamour guys of the NFL, the QB.

Of course, much like the real NFL, in FF if you don’t have a good QB you really have no chance, since the QB position is the highest scoring in nearly all FF formats. And there are definitely “tiers”, if you will, that will help you decide if it’s worth going after a QB early or late.

A typical scoring system (this one is from Yahoo!) gives 4 points for a TD, 1 point for ever y 25 passing yards, -1 for INT’s, 10 points for every rushing yard and 6 points for rushing TD’s.

It goes without saying that if your league values passing TD’s AND rushing TD’s with the same point value, then a rushing QB won’t have the same advantage as they do in Yahoo!, where a guy like Robert Griffin III could throw for 20 TD and run for 10 TD (so just in TD’s, 140 points 20 X 4=80 and 10 X 6=60) vs. a Matthew Stafford who throws for 30 TD and runs for 0 (120 points).

20 points over the course of the season could mean the difference between making and missing the playoffs easily, as most FF leagues have 1-2 teams above the rest and 1-2 teams who only win a couple games. The rest are all jumbled in the middle, and total FF points is the first tiebreaker in most scenarios.

I’ll break the QB groups into tiers, with detailed explanations on my top 5 FF QB and a short blurb or two on the remaining 27-32 QB’s.

(NOTE: Projected Rounds are assuming a 10 team league. If you play in a 12 team league or more, you might want to bump a Round 4 guy to Round 3 for example, lest you get stuck with Matt Schaub/Chad Henne as your starting and backup QB’s!)

Tier 1: The Elite

#1: Peyton Manning, DEN: (5477 yards, 55 TD, 10 INT, 1 rushing TD)

Bye Week: 4

It goes without saying last year was a record setting year for Manning and the Denver Broncos. With weapons like Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Montee Ball and Julius Thomas, Manning has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. Not to mention, playing in a division with 2 of the lesser defenses in the NFL (San Diego and Oakland) for 4 games along with other teams on the Broncos schedule (Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Patriots), the potential is there for another huge season.

Projection: 4800 yards, 45 TD’s, 12 INT’s, 1 rushing TD

Projected Round: 1, if not #1 overall in some drafts

#2: Drew Brees, NO: (5162 yards, 39 TD’s, 12 INT’s, 3 rushing TD)

Bye Week: 6

Talk about consistency: Drew Brees has been one of the top 6 scoring FF QB’s since 2009. Drafting Brees allows a owner to forget about the QB position until much later in the draft and focus on other areas (WR and RB primarily).

He did throw 22 INT’s in 2010 but that’s an outlier vs. the rest of the past 5 years. With riches at RB and WR, along with the best TE in fantasy in Jimmy Graham, you can expect Brees to have another successful campaign.

Projection: 4500 yards, 37 TD’s, 14 INT’s, 2 rushing TD

Projected Round: 1 or early in Round 2. Some Saints fans might take him #1 overall. I wouldn’t advise that!

#3: Aaron Rodgers, GB (2536 yards, 17 TD, 6 INT)

Bye Week: 9

With Rodgers suffering an injury in Week 9 last season, this obvious sent shockwaves through owners of this star QB across the fantasy landscape. While all appears well with Rodgers going into this season, it’s still worth mentioning having a back-up plan is important in FF.

Still, remove the injury and Rodgers has been either #1 or #2 in FF 3 of the 5 past seasons. And playing in a division with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, two of the most atrocious defenses in the NFL, and a Chicago defense they always seem to own, that’s 6 games of high scoring right there. Finally, word came in today that Jordy Nelson agreed to a $40M contract with $14M guaranteed, so it’s a good thing when your top target is happy.

You could do much worse than drafting Rodgers, but don’t get carried away with the position you draft him in.

Projection: 4700 yards, 36 TD’s, 13 INT’s, 2 rushing TD

Projected Round: 2^nd or 3^rd at the very latest. 1^st if someone is a big believer in him bouncing back.

Tier 2: Above average

#4: Andrew Luck, IND (3822 yards, 23 TD, 9 INT, 4 rushing TD)

Bye Week: 10

Now here is where things get interesting. Once you’re past the big 3, the next group of 6 QB’s were separated by only 20 FF points last season, depending on the scoring format.

So you’re doing a large bit of speculating as to who can break out of this group and get close to the P.Manning/Brees/Rodgers level. And my pick is Andrew Luck.

Given the injury to Vick Ballard, which will cause him to miss the season, the Colts are down to Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw at RB and that’s it. Which means the running game is likely to be sputtering, big time.

This means more opportunities for Luck to excel and with getting Reggie Wayne back in the fold, along with TE Cody Fleener and others, and a weak AFC South (the Titans, Jaguars and especially Texans basically scare no one), and this could be a breakout fantasy year for Luck.

Projection: 4500 yards, 32 TD, 11 INT, 3 rushing TD

Projected Round: 3^rd or 4^th, but would not be shocked to see him go with the last pick in Round 2

#5: Colin Kapernick, SF (3127 yards, 21 TD, 8 INT, 524 rushing yards, 4 rush TD)

Bye Week: 8

Again, with this group being only 20 points apart, a TD here or there extra or a few hundred yards is going to make a huge difference.

And yes, SF plays in a division with one elite defense (Seattle) and two up-and-coming ones (Arizona and St. Louis).

However, given that FF formats put value on the rushing aspect, and Kapernick gives you that, along with having a healthy Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis, I just see big fantasy things for Kapernick in 2014. He’s at the top of my “rushing leaning QB” list.

Projection: 3300 yards, 27 TD’s, 10 INT’s, 700 rushing yards, 6 rushing TD

Projected Round: Anywhere from Round 2 to Round 4

#6: Tom Brady (NE): 4343 yards, 25 TD, 11 INT

Bye Week: 10

Without Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker, Tom Brady struggled to get on the same page with his offense. With the return of Gronkowski, and another year with his young WR’s, expect Brady to ascend again.

Projection: 4500 yards, 32 TD, 10 INT, 1 rushing TD

Projected Round: On name, probably 2-3, if owners accept last year as a trend, 3-4

#7: Phillip Rivers (SD): 4478 yards, 32 TD, 11 INT

Bye Week: 10

With Ryan Mathews being a constant disappointment, and Donald Brown not that much better, it’s often left to Rivers to deliver through the air, and given that outside of Kansas City, Denver and Oakland’s defenses aren’t scaring anyone (along with a schedule that includes the Bills, Jets, Patriots, and Dolphins, you can expect more of the same from Rivers in 2014.

Projection: 4600 yards, 33 TD, 13 INT, 1 rushing TD

Projected Round: Most likely in Round 4 or later, depending if there is a QB run in your respective draft.

#8: Andy Dalton (CIN): 4293 yards, 33 TD, 20 INT, 183 rushing yards, 2 TD

Bye Week: 4

This might seem a little low for Dalton, considering he finished in the top 5 of FF QB last season and AJ Green is a stud, but with the expected improvement of Cleveland’s overall play, Baltimore’s defense and of course the Steelers, along with a tough schedule and an early bye week (Week 4) and I expect him to take a small step backwards.

Projection: 4000 yards, 30 TD, 21 INT, 150 rushing yards, 1 TD.

Projected Round: 4^th or later

#9: Matthew Stafford (DET): 4650 yards, 29 TD, 19 INT, 2 rushing TD

Bye Week: 9

Matthew Stafford is a tease. You think he’ll break out and be the next Drew Brees, and then he throws 19 INT’s, most of which were the “what were you thinking?” variety that cost Detroit games.

However, any QB who has Calvin Johnson to throw to (and given Detroit’s putrid running attack), isn’t a bad person to hitch your wagon to.

Projection: 4700 yards, 31 TD, 15 INT, 2 rushing TD’s

Projected Round: 4^th or later

#10: Tony Romo (DAL): 3828 yards, 31 TD, 10 INT’s

Bye Week: 11

Even with being injured, Romo was the in the top 10 in most scoring formats. With Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and the fact the Dallas Cowboys‘ Defense figures to once again set historical records for futility, if you can deal with a few more INT’s and no rushing scores, Romo is an excellent choice. Just not if you want to win a Super Bowl…

Projection: 4800 yards, 35 TD, 17 INT

Projected Round: 4^th or later

#11: Russell Wilson (SEA): 3357 yards, 26 TD, 9 INT, 539 rushing yards, 1 TD

Bye Week: Week 4

If you’re drafting the SB 48 winning QB, you’re doing this on the basis his rushing yards/TD numbers will increase, because otherwise, he lags behind many other QB in terms of passing numbers and TD’s.

That being said, there is a lot of potential in this offense to improve, but considerations have to be made for the division (NFC West), as 6 of the 16 games the Seattle Seahawks play will be against above average defensive units.

(Note that Marshawn Lynch is currently holding out with no end in sight…if that continues, this could boost Wilson’s fantasy value considerably).

Projection: 3750 yards, 30 TD, 11 INT, 700 rushing yards, 4 rushing TD

Projected Round: Some knucklehead will draft him in the 2^nd or 3^rd round based on his SB performance; don’t be that guy. 4^th and beyond is more than adequate/fair.

Tier 3: The solid middle

(Note: Unless otherwise specified, all players from here on out will be drafted in Round 5 or later)

#12: Jay Cutler (CHI): (2621 passing yards, 19 TD, 12 INT)

Bye Week: 9

Here’s a guy who was limited by injuries last season, but in an offense with Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alston Jeffery, and a defensively inept NFC North, this could be a steal of a pick for you. As most guys are going to be in the middle, if you hit gold, combined with the guys you got waiting for a QB, you could be in position to win your league. Or you could be fighting to get out of the cellar. Either way…

Projection: 4000 yards, 30 TD, 14 INT, 1 rushing TD

Projected Round: If you were near the end of Round 4 and didn’t have a QB, I’d take him there. Otherwise, 5^th or later absent a huge run on QB’s.

#13: Nick Foles (PHI): (2891 passing yards, 27 TD, 2 INT, 221 rushing yards, 3 TD)

Bye Week: 7

Let’s just get this out of the way: There is no way he will only throw 2 INT’s this season and arguably his #1 receiver, DeSean Jackson, is gone. However, playing in the NFC East , which is under a ton of transition (and rarely plays defense), this is a buy low, high upside in terms of potential. Or he could bust and now you have a crater at QB. A risk/reward play if there ever was one.

Projection: 3100 passing yards, 26 TD, 11 INT, 300 rushing yards, 2 TD

#14: Matt Ryan (ATL) (4515 yards, 26 TD, 17 INT)

Bye Week: 9

While you’re going to get pretty much zero in the rushing game from him, you can’t really knock his 2013 too much when they had no running game and no Julio Jones for most of the season. Another boom/bust pick.

Projection: 4300 yards, 30 TD, 15 INT

#15: Robert Griffin III (WSH) (3203 yards, 16 TD, 12 INT, 489 rushing yards)

Bye Week: 10

This projection is under the belief that a) he’ll play a full 16 games season and b) he’ll manage to get more then the ZERO rushing TD’s he had last season. Because otherwise, you have Brian Hoyer and not a dynamic FF scoring QB.

Projection: 3550 yards, 21 TD, 10 INT, 650 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD

#16: Ben Rothelisberger (PIT): 4261 yards, 28 TD, 14 INT

Bye Week: 12

Ben will win the Pittsburgh Steelers a lot of regular season games and has 2 Super Bowl rings. However, in only 1 season has he played all 16 games. He’s a good pinch-hit when your main QB has a bye week, but really shouldn’t be trusted as an every week start when his only weapons are now Antonio Brown and Heath Miller.

Projection: 4400 yards, 30 TD, 15 INT

#17: Cam Newton (CAR) (3379 passing yards, 24 TD, 13 INT, 585 rushing yards, 6 rushing TD)

Bye Week: 12

Seems like a long drop for a guy who was #3 in FF last year, but in losing Steve Smith, his most reliable WR, and give the injuries he is dealing with, he will be hard pressed to repeat his #3 finish in 2013. You’re drafting Newton hoping he repeated the rushing yards and TD totals from last season, because if he doesn’t , you’re in trouble

Projection: 3400 passing yards, 24 TD, 15 INT, 500 rushing yards, 4 rushing TD

Tier 4: FF Backups with potential to start

#18: Alex Smith (KC): 3313 yards, 23 TD, 7 INT, 431 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Bye Week: 5

With Jamaal Charles getting a new deal, a huge sigh of relief had to come from Alex Smith, because the Kansas City Chiefs‘ running game opens up the passing lanes. Still, a lot of Smith’s numbers came from one of the softest schedules in the NFL last year. And it’s hard to believe he’ll throw only 7 INT’s again.

Projection: 3500 yards, 24 TD’s, 12 INT’s, 300 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

#19: Ryan Tannehill (MIA): 3913 yards, 24 TD, 17 INT, 238 rushing yards, 1 TD

Bye Week: 5

Given that the Miami Dolphins lack a reliable running game, much is put on Tannehill’s shoulders. Unfortunately, with Mike Wallace being a malcontent and the whole Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito mess hanging over the organization, this simply doesn’t seem like a recipe for success. Still, a reduction in the INT numbers and adding a couple TD’s puts Tannehill smack in the average realm.

Projection: 3500yards, 25 TD’s, 15 INT’s 200 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

#20: Carson Palmer (ARI): 4274 yards, 24 TD, 22 INT

Bye Week: 4

He’s got Larry Fitzgerald and pretty much nothing else, he’s is no threat to rush the football, let alone get a rushing TD, and 22 INT’s are a killer. Best case is he’s a spot starter when you have a bye week for your main QB.

Projection: 4000 yards, 25 TD, 18 INT

#21: Eli Manning (NYG): 3818 yards, 18 TD, 27 INT

Bye Week: 8

Now things are getting really tough. I simply cannot fathom a SB winning QB will tank an 2^nd consecutive season in the fashion Eli did last year. The New York Giants did their best Steelers impression, only they lost the first SIX games of the year and the season was lost. Given the NFC East is about as muddled as it can get, I foresee a campaign more in line with his past numbers.

Projection: 3900 yards, 28 TD, 14 INT

#22: Joe Flacco (BAL): 3817 yards, 22 TD, 10 INT

Bye Week: 11

Flacco, after receiving the largest contract for a QB in NFL history, and coming off a SB win, delivered a very underwhelming 8-8 season, especially in light of having to throw the ball early and often with Ray Rice’s injury early in the season. He’s a solid albeit unspectacular QB both in real life and for fantasy purposes.

Projection: 3800 yards, 24 TD, 12 INT

Tier 5: The rest

#23: Sam Bradford (STL): 1687 yards, 14 TD, 4 INT

Bye Week: 4

He plays in a brutally tough defensive division, has underachieved practically his whole time with the St. Louis Rams and is injury prone (hurting his knee on October 20^th against Carolina and missed the rest of 2013).

The time for him to show his potential is quickly running out. Expect a season more in line with his 2012 numbers.

Projection: 3700 yards, 23 TD, 14 INT, 100 rushing yards, 2 TD

#24: Geno Smith (NYJ): 3046 yards, 12 TD, 21 INT, 366 rushing yards, 6 rushing TD

Bye Week: 11

It was very much an up and down rookie campaign for Smith, but there is tremendous potential here, especially given his rushing yards and TD numbers. Spot starting him against some of the weaker defenses might not be a bad play, but if he’s your starter, you pretty much are in a deep league and out of options.

Projection: 3200 yards, 16 TD, 20 INT, 400 rushing yards, 5 rushing TD

#25: Ryan Fitzpatrick (HOU): 2454 yards, 14 TD, 12 INT, 225 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Bye Week: 10

With Andre Johnson none too happy about his contract and all the coaching staff changes, this has the potential to be a bad situation all the way around. However, you have to think the Houston Texans will be in shootouts all season, so there is slight potential for Fitzpatrick to have a huge fantasy season. Or the Texans will flame out to another 2-14 record and more people will get fired. Either way…

Projection: 3700 yards, 23 TD, 15 INT, 250 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

#26: Chad Henne (JAC): 3241 yards, 13 TD, 14 INT

Bye Week: 11

The Jacksonville Jaguars featured one of the very worst offenses in the NFL last year, bordering on downright unwatchable at times. And word today Cecil Shorts is going to be out two weeks with a hamstring injury. Yet Jacksonville seems to be headed in a good direction and Henne could come in and give you a boost on a bye week.

Projection: 3400 yards, 17 TD, 12 INT, 100 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

#27: EJ Manuel (BUF): 1972 yards, 11 TD, 9 INT, 186 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Bye Week: 9

With Sammy Watkins coming into the fold to give EJ a big target in the passing game, there is definitely potential here with the rushing aspect that Manuel brings. However, he’s still very raw and already got injured in his first season. This isn’t someone you want to hitch your wagon to, but he at the same time merits attention this year, as a potential FF QB sleeper in 2015.

Projection: 3200 yards, 18 TD, 12 INT, 250 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD

#28: Matt Schaub (OAK): 2310 yards, 10 TD, 14 INT

Bye Week: 5

After never fulfilling his potential in Houston, Matt Schaub was sent to the Oakland Raiders for a bag of chips and a 99 cent fountain drink (I kid!).

He is the very definition of maddening, in that one game he can throw for 400 yards and the next game he can throw 4 INT’s.

That’s not someone you can hitch your fantasy QB hopes on and Oakland, while having moderate talent on offense, isn’t going to remind you of Denver’s.

Projection: 3000 yards, 18 TD, 22 INT, 100 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

#29: Jake Locker (TEN): 1256 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT, 155 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD’s

Bye Week: 9

As if you haven’t figured out by now, anyone rated this low is either horribly inconsistent or just on a bad team or both.

Much the same with Schaub and others, Locker shows flashes of brilliance but can go several games in a row producing middling stats. And the Tennessee Titans don’t have the strongest group of skill players either.

If you REALLY must carry 3 QB’s (which I don’t recommend, unless you’re in a 2 starting QB format), then he might be worth a flier. Otherwise, he’s really not worth your time or roster spot.

Projection: 3300 yards, 20 TD, 18 INT, 250 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD’s

#30: Mike Glennon/Josh McCown (TB): 4400 yards, 32 TD, 10 INT

Bye Week: 7

If there’s one golden rule of thumb in FF, you never get involved in a QB by committee situation. It’s best to ensure whoever you draft is the #1 guy. The QB merry-go-round begins with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

These two produced a great stat-line if they were 2 QB put into 1, unfortunately as the saying goes if you have two QBs you really have zero. Still, the potential exists for whoever breaks out of that to be a super-sleeper as a fantasy QB. Right now Josh McCown is listed as the starter on the depth chart; best to AVOID this all together if possible until a starter is named for certain.

Projection (for either, though Glennon IMO has the bigger upside): 3600 yards, 26 TD, 16 INT

#31: Brian Hoyer/Johnny Manziel (CLE): 615 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT (Hoyer’s stats)

Bye Week: 4

There simply isn’t anything to see or love here, honestly. With Josh Gordon facing a 1 year suspension, and the Cleveland Browns inexplicably passing on Sammy Watkins (to the Bills delight), there aren’t any skill players here who are going to put the fear in opposing defenses, to be frank.

Hoyer did show flashes he can play, but with this long suffering fan base seeing Manziel as their Tebow-esque savior, I do not see how Hoyer can not only hold him off but perform with the pressure knowing one 3 INT game will put him riding the pine.

Projection (combined): 3100 yards, 20 TD, 20 INT, 350 rushing yards, 4 TD (both rushing totals mostly with Manziel at QB).

#32: Matt Cassel/Teddy Bridgewater/Christian Ponder (MIN): 3400 yards, 18 TD, 18 INT, 6 rushing TD

Bye Week: 10

The only thing worse than a two-ring QB circus is one that has THREE possibilities. Good luck figuring out how this one is going to pan out. Your money would probably be on Bridgewater (they don’t draft guys to be on the bench), but Cassel likely starts the season. Whatever you do, AVOID.

Projections (combined): 3400 yards, 20 TD, 22 INT, 4 rushing TD (if Bridgewater sees action, otherwise, downgrade the rushing TD numbers)

Joe Cummings is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.

July 28, 2014 0 comment

AFC East AFC North AFC South AFC West Fantasy Football NFC East NFC North NFC South NFC West NFL Uncategorized

6 Types of Annoying People in Every Live Fantasy Football Draft

by P.J. Conley July 24, 2014

written by P.J. Conley

Fantasy Football Draft season is here! In a few weeks, most of us will be logging onto various sports sites and using their software to draft and manage their leagues and teams. A long time ago, back when the internet was barely a thing, fantasy drafts were conducted live in pubs, the comssioner’s living room, basement or backyard. Today, these yearly gatherings are rare. If you ask around, there are many leagues who still draft the old fashion way. If you are, or have, participated in a live draft, you will find that there are certain types of people that do things that will annoy the entire room.

1) The Chatty Guy

ChickPhilA-Flickr

This is the guy who will see another owner struggling to find a pick, and will give away the deep sleeper you were just about to pick up.
For example:
I’m in need of a third running back. I have my eyes set on a guy who could be a steal. Let’s say, Terrence West . The draft snakes around to Round 7. Pick 1 is up and the guy is looking hard at his paperwork.

Pick 1: “Damn, I need a running back. Where is Jonathan Stewart ranked….”

Chatty helpful guy: “No go with Terrence West! ESPN says he’ll be the guy if injury prone Ben Tate goes down.”

Pick 1: “The guy on the Texans?”

Chatty helpful guy: “Oh no silly he’s on the Browns now!”

Pick 1: “Alright, I’ll take Tommy West or whatever.”

Chatty helpful guy: “Ha. No silly It’s Terrence.”

Pick 1: “Oh ha. I mean Terrence.”

Me:@#$%^&*(!!!

2) The Must Answer Every Call Guy

ElvertBarnes_Flickr

Example:

Commish: “Ok John you’re up.”
John: “Ok let me get umm… *ring* ring*… One sec guys. Hello? Yeah. Uh huh. Uh huh, right. Ok. Ok. MMhmmm. I see.”
(Then john puts one finger in the air and proceeds to walk out of the room, leaving the rest of us saying, “WTF”.)

3) The Long Distance Guy on Speaker Phone

AndrewWippler_ Flickr

Why is this annoying?
A) It always sounds like they’re on a jet plane.
B) His kids are either playing “who could scream the loudest or showing mommy their best Ringo Starr impression on her pots and pans. or the most annoying
C) They never pay attention. Rather then keeping up with the picks, they’re either google image searching boobs or playing Candy Crush.

Example:
Commish: “Jimmy you there?”

Jimmy Speaker phone: (amongst heavy white noise) Kids screaming: MOMMMY. MAAAAA *Bang* Bang* bang* bang* *telephone ring* Jimmys wife: ARE YOU DONE WITH THAT FOOTBALL THING YET?” Jimmy: F**kin relax! IN A SECOND!!!

Commish: “Jimmy!”

Jimmy: “Oh hey sorry guys. Who were the last 5 guys picked.”

Commish: “Brees, Rogers, Julio jones, V. Jax and Ellington ”

Jimmy: “Ok let me get Peyton Manning .”

Commish: “He was taken a long time ago…”

4) The Clueless new guy

BigBadVoo_Flickr

This is the guy who’s never been to a Fantasy draft before. There are positives to this. It’s an easy win and the guy’s horrendous reaches leave you with more of a chance to get the studs.

Positive:
Commish: Round 1 pick 2 goes to the new guy!

New Guy:Alright, let me get… Tony Romo!

Negative:
Commish: Round 11 pick 2 goes back to the new guy!
(new guy stares blankly at ceiling thinking of names he knows because he didn’t bring any magazines or cheat sheets.)

New Guy: Was Rodgers picked yet?

Commish: Yes hours ago.

New guy: Oh um.. how about… Jamon Charles.

Commish: Really? Jamal went hours ago too.
(5 minutes later)

New guy: Maurice Jones Drew ?

Commish: Sure take him.

5) The guy who can’t pronounce any name correctly

Maveric2003_Flickr

Its usually the older guy with the glasses resting on the bridge of his nose whose mind can’t comprehend a name that isn’t Joe, John, Steve or Mike.

Commish: Danny what’s your pick?

Danny: “Uhh let me get Rodney White”
(Next pick)
Danny: “I guess I’ll take Sean Vereen”
(Next pick)
Danny: “I’ll take Kenneth Allen, WR Chargers”
(Next pick)
Danny: “umm let’s see Tyler Hilton”

6) Guy using a year old Fantasy Magazine

Gongus_Flickr

This guy was too cheap or lazy to go out and purchase a new magazine and or do his research.

Example:
Commish: “Alright third round 1st pick, Pete you’re up!”

Pete: “Ok… I’ll take Tony Gonzalez”

Commish: “he’s retired”

Pete: “oh… Sweet look whose still on the board. I’ll take Eagles QB Michael Vick !”

Commish: “ok… You got it…”

Despite the annoying people you encounter, a live draft is a special thing. It’s a time where you could truly feel like the owner of your very own sports franchise sitting in your war room, which consists of a lawn chair, a stack of Fantasy magazines on your left knee and a clipboard on your right. Happy Drafting everyone!

P.J. Conley is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.

July 24, 2014 0 comment